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Will Garcia
5
Western Oregon WOU 2-2
6
Winner Fresno Pacific FPU-BASE 2-2
Western Oregon WOU
2-2
5
Final
6
Fresno Pacific FPU-BASE
2-2
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Western Oregon WOU 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 5 9 0
Fresno Pacific FPU-BASE 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 X 6 9 3

W: Helmuth, Gino (1-0) L: Hardin,Chris (0-1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Clutch Hitting Gives Sunbirds the Series Split Against Western Oregon

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific baseball team knocked off (RV) Western Oregon 6-5 in the final game of a four-game set on Saturday, splitting the series 2-2. The Sunbirds got some timely hits, including a two-out RBI double from Ben Jungbluth in the eighth inning that gave FPU the lead.

QUOTABLE

"I thought it was a good series. I'm happy with the growth our team showed through the four games. It was good to see adjustments being made. Now we have to build on the positives and correct some things for next week." – head coach Oscar Hirschkorn
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • The Wolves were able to take an early 2-0 lead in the first inning after a leadoff error followed by a walk, an RBI single and a passed ball that plated a run.
  • The Sunbirds came storming back with a strong first inning of their own. All nine players stepped to the plate in the first with Khalid Johnson, Tommy Rover and Donte Valdez all scoring runs.
  • Matt Stearns was able to make quick work of the Wolves in the second inning, sitting the visitors down in order with two strikeouts.
  • Western Oregon was able to tie the game in the third inning and then take the lead in the fifth. But FPU answered in the fifth after Cole Yoshida drew a bases-loaded walk to make it a 4-4 contest.
  • Western Oregon answered right back in the sixth inning to re-take the lead, but the Sunbirds tied it right back up in the seventh when Rover drove in Jack Foote with two outs.
  • Gio Helmuth stepped on the mound in the seventh inning with runners on first and second with no outs. After an error, he was able to retire the side with no damage done.
  • In the top of the eighth inning, Helmuth sat down the Wolves in order, which brought the Sunbirds to the plate, game tied 5-5.
  • Valdez drew a leadoff walk and then stole second on the ensuing at-bat by Andrue Lackey. He was able to advance to third after a passed ball, and with two outs, Jungbluth hit a single to left field, giving the Sunbirds a 6-5 lead.
  • In the top of the ninth, Helmuth was able to hold the Wolves and earn his first win of the season and give the Sunbirds the split in the series.
STATS FROM THE GAME
  • Johnson went 2-for-4 in the contest with two stolen bases, a walk and a run scored.
  • Lackey also had two hits in the win with a walk and a run scored.
  • Andrew Valdez, Rover, D. Valdez, Kyle Willman, Jungbluth and Yoshida all drove in a run.
  • Stearns struck out six batters in his four and two-thirds innings of work.
  • Helmuth earned credit for the win after three innings and three strikeouts without giving up a hit.
NEXT UP
 
The Blue and Orange will host No. 25 Chico State on Feb. 11-12. Game one is on Friday at 5 p.m., with games two and three coming on Saturday starting at noon.

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